Maine Game Warden Joshua Tibbetts, 50, died in a plane crash in Avon while on a routine assignment to stock fish in western Maine. The crash occurred around 11 a.m., and colleagues reported he was alone in the aircraft. Emergency services confirmed Tibbetts’ death at the scene, and his body was taken to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office.
Col. Dan Scott of the Maine State Surveillance Bureau stated that Tibbetts did not send a distress signal before the crash, although the plane did issue an automatic signal. There’s no immediate evidence of mechanical failure or medical issues as potential causes.
The crash prompted responses from various agencies, including the Maine Department of Public Safety and Federal Aviation Administration, which will investigate the incident. This tragedy highlights the risks faced by game wardens, as noted by state officials, including Governor Janet Mills and Inland Fisheries Commissioner Tim Peabody, during a press conference. Condolences poured in from law enforcement agencies mourning the loss.
Tibbetts was a seasoned pilot, having been promoted just months prior and working with the department since 2008. This incident marks the first fatality of a game warden since 2011.
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